When a child is born it is issued with a birth certificate and receives several immunization shots. As he grows up he learns to abide by the laws of the state. At the age of 13 he gets his NRIC. In his late teens he enlists in national service and thereafter continues in Reservist training. When he begins to draw an income he also begins to pay his taxes. If he buys a vehicle, he pays for its COE and road tax. When he owns a house, he pays property tax. When he gets married, he has to get registered at ROM. When he goes overseas, he must have a passport. When he dies, his death must be reported at a police post and a death certificate obtained before his body can be interred. From birth to death we need to comply meticulously with every regulation of the state or face the unpleasant prospect of being penalized by the state.

These duties can become burdensome unless one has a sense of loyalty or love for the state which is known as patriotism. This goes beyond a mere willing obedience to the nation’s laws and regulations. It supports the very existence of the state, as well as its rights and institutions. It is the sense of belonging to the country of one’s birth or naturalization which makes a citizen willing to rise up to defend its existence, rights and institutions when threats to these arise.

The Bible records some instances of patriotism. When Saul was just anointed as the first king of Israel, the tribes living east of the Jordan were severely oppressed by the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-15). They would only lift the oppression if the Israelites there agreed to have their right eyes removed. When this news reached Saul his feelings were strongly aroused, and he stirred up all the tribes of Israel to battle. The Ammonites were soundly defeated and the patriotic spirit of Israel was kindled.

Another instance of fervent patriotism in the Bible can be seen in David’s slaying of Goliath. Although David was only a shepherd boy then, when he heard all the awful taunts and insults that were hurled daily by this Philistine giant against Israel, his spirit was so fired up with indignation that he said to the Israelites, "What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the Living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26)

That is the way we should feel if some powerful organisation were to pick a fight with Singapore, unjustly declare war or attempt terrorist attacks. Let none of us shirk our patriotic duty to defend Singapore even to the extent of sacrificing our own lives for it.

However, while the Bible has accounts of heroes like David who were willing to risk life and limb for their country, we must also remember that there is a distinct difference between the patriotism of Israel at that time, and that of any nation in existence today. They were a theocracy – a nation under God’s rule – and we are not. Because of this, anyone who tried to harm Israel was actually fighting against God’s kingdom. Any Israelite who disobeyed the state was also guilty of disobeying God. Sins against God were offences against the state.

This situation does not exist any more. No nation on earth can legitimately claim to be God’s kingdom here on earth. Christ has already said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). Patriotism may not be binding on God’s people when there is a clear conflict of loyalties between God’s kingdom and the state. This means that we should always be patriotic, but never at the expense of our loyalty to God.

Let us understand that we all hold two citizenships – a citizenship in man’s kingdom and a citizenship in God’s kingdom. Ephesians 2:19 tells us – "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Of these two citizenships we hold, one is temporary while the other is permanent. We are pilgrims sojourning for a time as expatriates in the world (1 Peter 2:11). Our permanent home is heaven. That puts our heavenly citizenship above our earthly one.

Therefore in any conflict of interests loyalty to God must always take priority over loyalty to the state. For Christians who live in a country that is intolerant to Christianity, this may mean breaking those laws of the state that prohibit obedience to God, or that cause disobedience to God. Believers must be prepared to be accused as traitors before governors and kings for Christ’s sake (Matthew 10:16-18). The apostle Paul was brought before no less than 2 governors and 2 kings to answer such charges. All believers must be prepared to be charged as "unpatriotic’ or even as traitors when they take a necessary stand for their heavenly kingdom.

Let us maintain our loyalty to the Lord, while being as patriotic as the Word of God allows. Christian Patriotism is summarised by Christ Himself: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." (Matthew 12:17) It is restated in Romans 13:7 – "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."

Since Jesus said that we are to Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, we must recognise that God has given the state certain rights over our lives. No government can rule on earth unless God permits it to have authority. Romans 13:1 tells us that there is no power but of God and the "powers that be are ordained of God." Psalm 75:6,7 says, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another." Whether the government takes the form of a representative democracy, a monarchy, or even a dictatorship, it is established by God. Whether with a little or with a lot of power, functioning well or badly, accepted easily or with great difficulty – as long as a government is legitimate, we must submit to it.

Even great nations and empires in the past like those of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome were raised up by God to rule and enjoy great power only for a time. When God decides that the nation or empire has fulfilled His purpose, they will fall and be replaced by others. God does not explain why He does these things. We must simply trust that He knows best how to manage all the governments of this world for His own glory.

Romans 13:2 tells us that those who resist government authority "shall receive to themselves damnation." Christians should never be involved in strikes, sit-ins, blockades, civil disobedience and similar revolutionary actions. Voting during elections is the only legitimate means to terminate a government’s authority. But it is still God who works through the collective choice of the people to appoint whoever He wills into authority.

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s" implies that the state has a legitimate right to collect taxes. Since the government is put in place by God Himself to serve His purposes on earth, we are obligated to support it. Another legitimate form of taxation is the collection of revenue (e.g. GST and ERP).

Instead of complaining about how much we are losing through taxes and revenues let us think positively of how they are being used. They are used to build roads, bridges, MRT lines, to provide water and electricity and to maintain our army, police force, fire department, courts of Law, schools, social institutions, sports facilities, parks and the large cost of maintaining a clean and green environment.

Besides rendering to the state what it requires from our wealth, we are also to render to it the respect and honour it deserves (See Romans 13:7). Sometimes we begrudge a person in authority the respect or honour he deserves just because we do not like him. We think that he is not competent enough or that he lives too lavishly. This is where we must distinguish the office from the person.

When Jesus took the coin and asked, "Whose is this image and superscription?" (Matthew 22:20), that coin had the portrait of the Roman emperor Tiberius on one side and a picture of him seated on his throne on the other side. The inscription declared him to be Pontifex Maximus (Great Ruler). But history reveals that Tiberius wasn’t such a great ruler. His reign was cruel and vindictive. And yet Jesus had nothing to say about that, for He distinguished the office from the person.

At the same time Jesus made it clear that we must not render unto Caesar the things that are God’s. These things must be rendered to God alone. No human authority has the right to require from us anything that is due to Him.

The Roman emperors were known to demand worship from their subjects. Polycarp, the disciple of the apostle John, was executed for refusing to worship Caesar. In the same way if government authorities should demand the things that are God’s from us, we must object and bear the penalty for our objection.

The Scriptures tell us that when the Antichrist rules the world in the Last Days he will demand not only loyalty but worship from all people. Those who refuse will not be able to buy or sell (Revelation 13). If this should happen within your lifetime please remember to render only to God the things that are God’s.

What are the things that we should render unto God? God wants our wholehearted worship, love and trust. He wants broken and contrite hearts that grieve over sin and delight to do His will. He wants our time, our talents and our treasures. The Lord rightfully claims us and all that we have for Himself, not only because He is our Creator and Sustainer, but also because He has redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Let us not withhold what we should render to the Lord our God, for He truly deserves much more from us! —CS

6. Pray that God will grant much wisdom and guidance to the government and all who are in authority to make the right decisions and to lead the nation well. (1 Timothy 2:2)